Genesis 30:15

Authorized King James Version

And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר
And she said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לָ֗הּ
H0
#3
הַמְעַט֙
unto her Is it a small matter
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#4
וְלָקַ֕חַת
and wouldest thou take away
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#5
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
אִישִׁ֔י
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#7
וְלָקַ֕חַת
and wouldest thou take away
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#8
גַּ֥ם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#9
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
דּֽוּדָאֵ֥י
mandrakes
a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as an aphrodisiac)
#11
בְנֵֽךְ׃
my son's
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#12
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר
And she said
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
רָחֵ֗ל
also And Rachel
rachel, a wife of jacob
#14
לָכֵן֙
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#15
יִשְׁכַּ֤ב
Therefore he shall lie
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#16
עִמָּךְ֙
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#17
הַלַּ֔יְלָה
with thee to night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#18
תַּ֖חַת
for
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#19
דּֽוּדָאֵ֥י
mandrakes
a boiler or basket; also the mandrake (as an aphrodisiac)
#20
בְנֵֽךְ׃
my son's
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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